Published: Wednesday, November 6, 2013 at 8:02 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, November 6, 2013 at 8:02 p.m.

A house fire that displaced a family and killed a cat earlier in the day Wednesday rekindled hours later after South Lexington firefighters cleared the scene and sent a firefighter to the hospital for injuries.

Firefighters were dispatched for a second time at 9:26 p.m. after the fire at the three-story home rekindled, said Joni Grubb, a shift supervisor with the Davidson County 911 Center. South Lexington firefighters were initially dispatched to the fire at 2:57 p.m. in the 5300 block of N.C. Highway 8.

The 911 supervisor confirmed Davidson County EMS was called Wednesday night to treat an injured firefighter, who was later transported to Wake Forest Baptist Health – Lexington Medical Center for unknown injuries.

Prior to Wednesday night’s rekindling, South Lexington VFD Lt. Troy Chrisley said the house was not a total loss. “But it’s going to take some work getting” the home livable, he said.

It was unclear how much damage the rekindling caused as a spokesman with the South Lexington VFD could not be reached for comment by press time.

Chrisley was on the first fire truck to arrive on the scene for the initial call. He arrived to find smoke coming from the eaves of the home, as well as the rear of the structure. John Pate, assistant chief of the South Lexington VFD, said South Lexington firefighters were on the scene within five minutes of receiving the first call.

“I personally did a walk-around, walking around to the back and found fire venting from the back kitchen window,” Chrisley said. “From there, I came back to the front door and forced entry into the front door. I made entry down the hallway and took a right, and found fire well involved into the kitchen area. We knocked it down from there.”

The lieutenant credited a quick response and his department’s actions upon arrival for saving the home. He explained the home was not occupied by residents at the time of the fire. Chrisley confirmed a cat died in the fire.

Maj. Alton Hanes of Davidson County Emergency Services was on the scene conducting the initial investigation on behalf of the Davidson County Fire Marshal.

“The cause is still undetermined, but (the origin) was in the kitchen area,” Pate said. Pate explained as of early Wednesday evening foul play was not being suspected.

The first fire resulted in heavy fire damage in kitchen and smoke damage throughout the house. No other injuries were reported in the initial call.

Holly Berrier said her parents, Jeff and Janet Caudle, and her brother Jason, live at the home. She said she was staying at the residence this week. However, it had been about hour-and-a-half since she had been at the home prior to the fire. Berrier said the family cat, Shadow, was about 14 years old.

Jeff Caudle is a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Kernersville. He was on a route when he learned of the fire.

“The kitchen is destroyed,” he said. “I haven’t really done a good survey of the house, but I know when I did walk upstairs, there was a lot of smoke damage. … I’m just glad no one was home.”

In addition to Hanes, South Lexington firefighters were also assisted on the scene earlier in the day by the Southmont and Linwood volunteer fire departments, as well as Davidson County EMS.

“The quick response definitely kept (the fire) contained to one room,” Pate said early Wednesday evening. “Our mutual aid (fire departments) were right on the spot, too. We had plenty of water as soon as we got here.”

The Greater High Point-Davidson Chapter of the American Red Cross responded. Jeff Caudle said he does have homeowner’s insurance.

Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com. Follow Darrick on Twitter: @DispatchDarrick.

<p>A house fire that displaced a family and killed a cat earlier in the day Wednesday rekindled hours later after South Lexington firefighters cleared the scene and sent a firefighter to the hospital for injuries. </p><p>Firefighters were dispatched for a second time at 9:26 p.m. after the fire at the three-story home rekindled, said Joni Grubb, a shift supervisor with the Davidson County 911 Center. South Lexington firefighters were initially dispatched to the fire at 2:57 p.m. in the 5300 block of N.C. Highway 8. </p><p>The 911 supervisor confirmed Davidson County EMS was called Wednesday night to treat an injured firefighter, who was later transported to Wake Forest Baptist Health – Lexington Medical Center for unknown injuries.</p><p>Prior to Wednesday night's rekindling, South Lexington VFD Lt. Troy Chrisley said the house was not a total loss. “But it's going to take some work getting” the home livable, he said. </p><p>It was unclear how much damage the rekindling caused as a spokesman with the South Lexington VFD could not be reached for comment by press time.</p><p>Chrisley was on the first fire truck to arrive on the scene for the initial call. He arrived to find smoke coming from the eaves of the home, as well as the rear of the structure. John Pate, assistant chief of the South Lexington VFD, said South Lexington firefighters were on the scene within five minutes of receiving the first call.</p><p>“I personally did a walk-around, walking around to the back and found fire venting from the back kitchen window,” Chrisley said. “From there, I came back to the front door and forced entry into the front door. I made entry down the hallway and took a right, and found fire well involved into the kitchen area. We knocked it down from there.”</p><p>The lieutenant credited a quick response and his department's actions upon arrival for saving the home. He explained the home was not occupied by residents at the time of the fire. Chrisley confirmed a cat died in the fire.</p><p>Maj. Alton Hanes of Davidson County Emergency Services was on the scene conducting the initial investigation on behalf of the Davidson County Fire Marshal. </p><p>“The cause is still undetermined, but (the origin) was in the kitchen area,” Pate said. Pate explained as of early Wednesday evening foul play was not being suspected. </p><p>The first fire resulted in heavy fire damage in kitchen and smoke damage throughout the house. No other injuries were reported in the initial call.</p><p>Holly Berrier said her parents, Jeff and Janet Caudle, and her brother Jason, live at the home. She said she was staying at the residence this week. However, it had been about hour-and-a-half since she had been at the home prior to the fire. Berrier said the family cat, Shadow, was about 14 years old.</p><p>Jeff Caudle is a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Kernersville. He was on a route when he learned of the fire. </p><p>“The kitchen is destroyed,” he said. “I haven't really done a good survey of the house, but I know when I did walk upstairs, there was a lot of smoke damage. … I'm just glad no one was home.”</p><p>In addition to Hanes, South Lexington firefighters were also assisted on the scene earlier in the day by the Southmont and Linwood volunteer fire departments, as well as Davidson County EMS. </p><p>“The quick response definitely kept (the fire) contained to one room,” Pate said early Wednesday evening. “Our mutual aid (fire departments) were right on the spot, too. We had plenty of water as soon as we got here.”</p><p>The Greater High Point-Davidson Chapter of the American Red Cross responded. Jeff Caudle said he does have homeowner's insurance.</p><p>Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com. Follow Darrick on Twitter: @DispatchDarrick.</p>